7 year olds and a mobile phone...

[PunkyPirate]

My dd is 7. She's fairly innocent for her age, well, I feel she is compared to some of her peers, I worry she'll be left behind her social group. More so since lockdown and she is being shielded so hasn't had any interaction with other children.

She's had an amazing imagination and will make a game out of anything, she lives her Barbies, dolls and small world play.

A school friend of hers came to the front gate this morning. We stood on the door step and was so excited to see them.

They are taller than her and just seemed so much more grown up than she is. They were going on about their mobile phone and Xbox games, neither of these things my dd has shown an interest in, and personally I feel 7 is too young for a mobile phone.

But now I'm worrying I am burying in my head in the sand and babying my dd. I don't want her to be the the only child who doesn't have a phone or take part in these games.

AIBU to think a 7 year shouldn't have a phone? Am I worrying about nothing?

[Charlottejade89]

a 7 year d definatly doesnt need a phone. Imo they dont need a phone until they go to high school

[Crunchymum]

I have a 7yo (Y2) and absolutely no way in Hell is her anywhere near old enough for a mobile phone.

I dont question this, or agonise over it and I wouldn't give a shit if he was the only 7yo in the land not to have one. It's a big, fat no from me.

[fluckityfluckfluck]

Seven may be too young for your daughter - there is no rule. You sound very judgemental

[Sunnydayshereatlast]

My ds is 12 this year and hasn't got one yet.

[Wizadorawobble]

I wouldn't let a 7 year old have a phone. Not having any time of games consol at that age is a bit unusual, most children have been using them to interact with their friends.

[SuperMumTum]

My DD is9next month and doesn't have a phone or a console. She can use a search engine and has just started playing minecraft on her tablet. I would say she's about average for her age. Young kids with phones is a bad idea, it's a problem waiting to happen. That said, the friend was probably just showing off and doesn't actually use it much.

[2littlefishes]

7 is ridiculous!! As far as I'm concerned, don't need a phone u til they're old enough to go out without you.
So end of Yr6 ready for going off to secondary school, BUT with restricted access until they're older.

[Pipandmum]

The vast majority of kids around here got their first phone in Y7, not at 7!

[Oly4]

No way are my kids having phones before secondary school.

[SuperMumTum]

I don't know many 7 year olds who use games consoles. What's wrong with toys and books at that age? They've got the rest of their lives to get into screens and tech. Just let her do the things she likes.

[elliejjtiny]

My 7 year old doesn't have a phone. My 12 year old has only just got one. My 7 year old likes to play computer games (if he didn't see his older brothers playing them he probably wouldn't be bothered) but he mostly likes playing with his fireman sam figures, dressing up, pretending to be a dog etc etc.

[Oxfordnono12]

My son is turning 12 in Aug and he just got his phone. Only because hes going to secondary school in September and hes getting a bus and will afterschool activities. He had to sign and agreement first.

7 is far too young!

[Rockbird]

My 8yo doesn't have a games console, well, apart from an elderly Wii. But I'll admit I gave her a phone when it became clear that school wasn't going to happen for months. She's been chatting and FaceTiming and basically playing with her best friend and it's been lovely to hear. She knows the SIM card is coming out as soon as school starts again though. She wouldn't have got it in normal times.

[Mother40]

No way would I let a.7 year old have a phone. What on Segundo they need one.for? My 10 year old son will have one.next year before starting secondary.school when he will walk to school on his own.

[AriettyHomily]

Dts are 9, no phone, none of their peers do either. They have an old wii hooked up but they're nit really interested.

They do have access to iPads and use my phone to message / zoom their mates but this is only because if lockdown.

[Wizadorawobble]

I don't know many 7 year olds who use games consoles. What's wrong with toys and books at that age?

Do you think children who have consoles don't read or play with toys?

My dd is an only child, having a console means she can interact with her friends during lockdown and have fun together with them.

[Mother40]

What on earth that should.say!

[Waveysnail]

But if phone doesnt have a sim in it, is it any different to tablet or ipad. Mine have had iPads from young age. Brilliant during lockdown as took off face time restrictions so they can talk to their friends.

[chillandrelax]

Mine has a phone without a SIM card which is basically the same as a tablet but more portable (he does have older siblings). My eldest didn't at 7 years old.

[Waxonwaxoff0]

I have a 7 year old. I've given him my old phone to play games on but it doesn't have a sim card in. He doesn't take it out the house.

[Elisheva]

Does the friend have older siblings? My dd who is 6 knows loads about different games and consoles because her older brothers play on and talk about them all the time. When my oldest was 6 he wouldn’t have known anything about gaming.

[DamnYankee]

We waited until secondary school and still have limits regarding usage.

[NellePorter]

My DD2 is also 7 (Y3) and also seems very young, very happy playing with dolls, watching cartoons etc. I don't know that any of her classmates have a mobile. She does have a tablet which she plays a couple of games on, and she has Facetimed her best friend from school a couple of times during lockdown (on my phone). DD1 got her phone for her 11th birthday, as did most of her friends.

[Jacalouse]

My 7 (nearly 8) has my old iphone, no sim card. She has game apps on, slitherio, roblox etc all age appropriate. She takes photos (mostly of herself and the dog!) And that's it. If it was to ring/text people - no way.

[HopeClearwater]

You sound very judgemental

You need to be judgemental with matters concerning children. Set boundaries etc. It’s called bringing them up properly. Keeping them safe.